LSU and defensive coordinator John Chavis are close to a deal that would extend Chavis contract for three years and average $1.1 million per year, ESPN.com reported Tuesday.

Chavis declined to comment on the negotiations other than to say "I'm delighted to be here. I've been happy the whole time I've been here. It's a great place to be."

Brett Duke/The Times-PicayuneLSU defensive coordinator John Chavis

Chavis just completed his third season at LSU after 14 seasons at defensive coordinator at Tennessee. He guided an LSU defense that finished second in the nation to Alabama in scoring defense and total defense. LSU has been in the top 11 nationally in total defense all three of Chavis' seasons.

Chavis made $708,000 last season and has been pursued by other big name schools, including Texas and Georgia. Chavis turned down the same job at Georgia after his first season at LSU.

The extension would earn him $900,000 next season, $1.1 million in 2013 and and $1.3 milllion in 2014, according to the report. Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is only assistant in the SEC making more than Chavis. He recently received a raise to $950,000.

"He's turned down opportunities," LSU Coach Les Miles told Gannett News. "He could easily have been at any number of places in the SEC as defensive coordinator for a huge raise. So I think this is really just market value."